Porcelain / Sintered stone (Recommended)
LUTUM Porcelain surfaces are made from a selection of premium raw materials. The manufactur-
ing process combines various layers of coloured powder into the body of the slab, creating a
consistent and perfected finish, even in the finest details. This lends itself to large-scale slabs,
fewer joins, and seamless cladding.
Engineered quartz
Engineered quartz is a man-made product manufactured using natural quartz and resin. Because
engineered quartz is already sealed, it is resistant to stains, scratches, and cracks, as well as
common household chemicals. It is known for its durability and variety of designs. Most of these
surface offerings on the market come in thicker slabs and are used for indoor projects.
Granite
Granite is a natural stone mined from the earth’s surface, mountains, and rockfaces. Each slab is
incredibly unique, with natural fissures and patterns. Granite should ideally be sealed correctly by
a fabricator before installation and requires re-sealing every couple of years. Granite is not suited
to a truly uniform look. It is known to be durable, easy to clean, and heat- resistant, but it remains
susceptible to burning and thermal shock.
Marble
Marble is also a natural stone but is a much softer material. It has an elegant and classic aesthetic
and was often used in history for sculptures and columns. Since it is softer, it is the most porous
surface slab on the market, prone to stains and scratches. Marble must be sealed correctly by a
fabricator before installation and requires regular maintenance throughout its lifespan.
Concrete
A contemporary finish, concrete is a great addition to an industrialised- styled space. It is ex-
tremely hard and resists chips and scratching. Depending on the surface application, it can be
quite costly, and a professional installer would be needed to ensure the correct support struc-
tures are in place to bear the weight. Cleaning and care are required as concrete can be prone to
staining issues.
Solid surfaces
Solid surface countertops are typically made from hard acrylic materials. Although a hard and du-
rable option, solid surface countertops are not heat resistant and may succumb to burns and
scratches.
Formica
Formica countertops’ end result is a finished look that resembles natural stone or wood counter-
tops. They can be scratched if abrasive cleaners are used. Delamination is one of the main issues,
especially due to water damage, which makes repairs difficult.
Melamine
Melamine is a plastic substrate or laminate that is applied to a particle board, usually plywood or
other non-wood varieties like MDF. It can be an affordable alternative to stone surfaces, but if in-
stalled incorrectly, it will chip. Similarly, melamine itself is waterproof; however, if water seeps
into the particle board underneath, the damp causes the melamine to warp